Hi Jerrygiordano,
Thank you for your question. Decisions about when to start receiving retirement benefits require careful planning to get the maximum benefits. When you say that you're at full retirement age, I assume you're in compliance with the Normal Retire Age chart from the SSA as shown here Normal Retirement Age .
Spousal benefits are subject to certain guidelines such as:
- Your spouse must be at least 62 to claim the benefit.
- Both of you must have been married for at least a year.
- You must be already receiving Social Security benefits otherwise cannot receive the benefit.
- The spousal benefit can be up to 50% if your spouse is between 66 and 67yrs when they start claiming the benefits.
- The spousal benefits will increase the longer your spouse waits to claim them and they get the maximum at age 70yrs.
- If your spouse has a work history, they’ll receive either your benefit or the spousal benefit, whichever is greater.
- Income disparities between the two spouses also need to be factored into the decision. When the higher earner files for benefits, the lower earner can then switch to spousal benefit, it that is higher that their own benefit payment.
The Social Security Benefits Calculator here Benefits for Spouses will help you make a better decision.
I hope the above gives you some clarity to the decision.
Sincerely
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